Steven Foster Photos of Holy Basil, Tulasi, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Ocimum sanctum
Ocimum tenuiflorum, Ocimum sanctum, Holy Basil. Called Tulasi, the name of the consort of Vishnu, a plant held sacred in Hindu tradition, commonly cultivated in India in courtyards and temples. Many medicinal uses are recorded, but today mostly regarded as an adaptogen. Widely distributed in Malaysia, India, various Pacific Islands, Africa and Latin America. A tell-tale idenfication feature is that the nutlets (achenes) are not mucilaginous when in contact with water.